Outsourcing workers demonstrating at Shahbagh demanding job nationalisation
The protest created severe traffic jams on the connected roads
Demanding the nationalisation of their jobs, a large group of outsourcing workers of government institutions blocked the capital's Shahbagh intersection this morning (19 October).
Several hundred outsourcing workers gathered at the busy intersection at around 10am and started demonstrating, confirmed Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Ramna Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Zubaer Jewel Rana.
The protest created severe traffic jams on the connected roads, and many commuters were seen getting off public transport and walking to their destinations.
Protesters said that their one-point demand was the nationalisation of their jobs, and they would continue protests until that demand was met.
The protesters alleged that they are facing discrimination at their workplaces and worried about losing their jobs.
Mehedi Hasan Shakil, assistant commissioner (traffic), told UNB that the traffic division is trying to ease vehicular movement through diversion via the Sheraton intersection, Matsya Bhaban and Kataban.
He said that additional police have been deployed to avoid further trouble.